One of the profound questions in Islamic eschatology is whether believers will see Allah on the Day of Judgment. This topic, deeply rooted in Islamic theology, has been explored extensively through Quranic verses, authentic Hadiths, and the interpretations of classical Islamic scholars.
Direct References:
Surah Al-Qiyamah [75:22-23]: "Some faces that Day shall be Nadirah (shining and radiant). Looking at their Lord (Allah)." This verse is often cited as evidence of the believers seeing Allah on the Day of Judgment.
Surah Al-Mutaffifin [83:15]: "No! Indeed, from (the sight of) their Lord, that Day, they will be veiled." This verse is interpreted as indicating that the disbelievers will be veiled from seeing Allah, implying that the believers will have the privilege of His vision.
Authentic Narrations:
Classical Scholars' Views:
Imam Al-Ghazali: In "Ihya Ulum ad-Din," he asserts that believers will indeed see Allah, but not in a manner comparable to anything in worldly experience.
Ibn Taymiyyah: He affirms the vision of Allah by believers, stressing it will be without encompassment or modality, beyond human perception norms.
Ibn al-Qayyim: In "Hadi al-Arwah," he describes this vision as the greatest joy for the believers in the hereafter, transcending all worldly pleasures.
Sunni Orthodoxy: The majority of Sunni scholars, based on the aforementioned evidences, affirm that believers will see Allah on the Day of Judgment, but this vision is unlike any worldly seeing and not subject to the usual human understanding of sight.
Divergent Views: Some Islamic sects and scholars, however, have divergent views, interpreting these evidences metaphorically or rejecting the notion of seeing Allah in the hereafter.
Not Physical Vision: A common misconception is equating the seeing of Allah with worldly vision. Islamic scholarship emphasizes that this vision is unique and cannot be likened to human visual perception.
Beyond Human Comprehension: The nature of this vision is beyond human comprehension and is a matter of the unseen, which is accepted based on faith and divine revelation.
The consensus among the majority of Sunni scholars, based on Quranic verses and Hadith narrations, is that believers will see Allah on the Day of Judgment. This vision, however, is distinct from worldly perception and should be understood in the light of divine revelation and the ultimate power of Allah.
Q1: Is seeing Allah on the Day of Judgment a part of Sunni belief?
Yes, it is a belief held by the majority of Sunni scholars, based on Quranic verses and Hadiths.
Q2: Will this vision of Allah be like our normal sight?
No, the vision of Allah will be unlike any worldly sight and is not subject to human physical perceptions.
Q3: Do all Islamic sects agree on this belief?
No, there are divergent views within Islamic sects. However, the majority of Sunni scholars agree on this belief.
Q4: How should Muslims understand this aspect of the Day of Judgment?
Muslims should understand this as a matter of the unseen, accepted based on faith and divine revelation, and it is beyond human comprehension.
Q5: What is the significance of this belief for Muslims?
This belief signifies the ultimate reward for believers and highlights the joy and honor in the hereafter.
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